ABRAHAM MUNN COLLECTION, 1885-1909

Scope and Content Note

Abraham Munn was the founder of Lakeland. In 1882, Munn, a businessman from Louisville, Kentucky, purchased eighty acres of Polk County land sight unseen. He then sent his son to lay out a commercial subdivision. By 1884 the South Florida Railroad passed through the center of Munn's property connecting Kissimmee to Tampa. Munn provided lots adjoining the railroad line, a railroad passenger station, a public square, and a hotel. Munn did not want the town named for himself, so in 1885 it was incorporated as Lakeland, Florida. The public park in the center of the town was named Munn Park. It included walks, a bandstand, and a well, and was the first site that visitors saw as they stepped off the train.

The materials in this collection were donated by the Filson Club Historical Society, Louisville, Kentucky and may not be reproduced without its permission. They consist of one reel of microfilm and some copies of correspondence from John H. Haywood.